Michigan Ross MBA Essay Analysis: 2024 Edition

What are some tips for writing Michigan Ross MBA essays for the2023-2024 application cycle?

When writing Michigan Ross MBA essays for the2023-2024 application cycle, it is crucial to focus on showcasing how you align with the culture of the program. To begin, thoroughly research the Ross program by visiting the campus, speaking with current students, alumni, and faculty, or attending information sessions. This background knowledge will help you tailor your essays to highlight your fit within Ross's community.

Emphasize your intellectual curiosity and ability to achieve your goals as key traits that the admissions committee values. Avoid merely listing achievements; instead, concentrate on conveying personal experiences and anecdotes that provide insight into who you are as an individual. Ross values community involvement, effective communication, and strong teamwork skills, so make sure to incorporate examples that demonstrate these qualities in your essays.

When addressing the essay prompts, remember that the aim is to give the admissions committee a glimpse into your personality and values. For Group 1 essays, delve into your motivations and background, showcasing what drives you beyond just your professional aspirations. Share personal stories that illustrate your unique qualities and experiences, such as significant extracurricular moments or challenges you have overcome.

In Group 2 essays, focus on events that have shaped your character and how you have reacted to adversity in your life. Highlight your accomplishments and demonstrate your ability to handle challenging situations. Consider discussing experiences like living abroad, working with diverse teams, or overcoming obstacles professionally or personally to provide a well-rounded view of your capabilities.

Overall, the key to writing successful Michigan Ross MBA essays is to be authentic, reflective, and engaging. Showcasing your personal qualities, values, and unique experiences will help you stand out to the admissions committee and demonstrate why you are a strong candidate for the Ross MBA program.We have compiled below the prompts for the short-answer/essay questions. We’ve noticed that Ross has reduced the number of short-answer questions and the number of words allocated for the career goals essay this year, more than ever you will have to be concise and to the point! Let’s dive into the questions:

Short Answer Questions

Select one prompt from each group of the two groups below. Respond to each selected prompt in 100 words or less (<100 words each; 200 words total). Every word counts here — the tight word count is intentional to force you to focus.

GROUP 1

· I want people to know that I:

· I made a difference when I:

· I was aware that I was different when:

GROUP 2

· I am out of my comfort zone when:

· I was humbled when:

· I was challenged when:

Before tackling these 2 groups of short answer questions keep in mind that you will have the opportunity to expend on your career goals in the longer essay to follow. To tackle these questions, think about your personal background, identify actions you took when faced with adversity, impact you’ve had in an organization you were involved in for example. When interviewed by Clear Admit, Soojin Kwon, Director of Admissions at Ross described the goal of these essays as follow:

“The essays provide us with the ability to get a sense of who the applicants are, and the experiences that have shaped them. We approach the essay portion of the application looking to get a glimpse of who the applicants are–outside of what we see from their transcripts, test scores, and resume–and hear about their unique stories.”

Simply put: Through these short essays Adcoms are seeking to connect with you on a personal level.

Group 1 should really be focused on what makes you unique, your accomplishments and demonstrate your level of self-awareness, in short what makes you different from a candidate with similar stats or professional background.

Think about a time you successfully carried out a project or had a positive impact on the life of an organization or a person, make sure that the stories/anecdotes you select for these questions are not already in your resume. The goal here is to bring more depth to your application by bringing elements that make you likeable. You can also approach this section with an interesting story about your family background or upbringing that shaped you as a person. Remember that AdComs are looking for well-rounded applicants that will contribute to the class discussion and bring an interesting perspective.

Group 2 is focused on your character and how you respond to challenges. This is an opportunity for you to share a story about growth. Think about a challenging project you were involved in, or a cultural/international experience that challenged you and your beliefs, or an extra-curricular activity that pushed you out of your comfort zone. Authenticity is key, adComs would like to see applicants share their perceived weaknesses, how they addressed them, and how they grew from them.

Career Goal Essay

Michigan Ross is a place where people from all backgrounds with different career goals can thrive. What is your short-term career goal and why? (200 words)

This essay is shorter this year and limited to 200. You will have to be very specific and to the point. For tips on how to craft a persuasive career goal essay check out this article from our blog.

Make sure you tie your career path so far with your short- and long-term goals. Adcoms want to see that you have a well thought through post-MBA plan. Use the skills and knowledge you have acquired in your career and explain who they will allow you to successfully reach you career goals.

Close this essay by explaining why Ross is a good fit for you and your career aspirations. If you can identify a few courses or students’ organizations that are particularly relevant to your professional plans it is worth mentioning in this section as well.

Need assistance with your essay? The Admission Concierge is a one-on-one approach consulting service, founded by a former director of admissions with extensive experience in guiding applicants through the application process including interview prep and post admission assistance.

I have completed my essays and application for Ross and just need a sanity check, what services do you provide?

Our Finalized Application Review is a renowned service provided by The Admission Concierge for MBA applicants seeking assistance with their applications. This service involves submitting a draft of all application materials to receive a comprehensive review by a former admissions committee member. This review is conducted in a similar manner to how a real admissions committee evaluates applications, providing valuable insight and feedback for applicants. The Finalized Application Review allows applicants the opportunity to make adjustments and improvements to their application before final submission, ensuring that they present their strongest candidacy to the admissions committee. With a quick turnaround time of receiving written feedback within two business days, applicants can make informed decisions and enhance their chances of success in the competitive MBA application process.

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